Star Trek doesn't have a Christmas special, but these 4 episodes are the next best thing

Star Trek It may not have a dedicated Christmas episode, but some episodes still channel the Christmas spirit. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry intentionally created a future where humanity had largely abandoned organized religion. Because of this, Christmas is rarely mentioned throughout Star Trek timeline, and none of the franchise's main characters are shown openly celebrating the holiday. Still, if the Christmas season is about celebrating friends and family and the beauty of human connection, then Star Trek There are plenty of episodes for that.

From Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew of the Starship Enterprise to the lower decks of the USS Cerritos, Star Trek has always been a celebration of families found and the progress that can be achieved by working together. All Star Trek the series has episodes that highlight the camaraderie and celebration often associated with Christmas. Some of these Star Trek episodes take direct inspiration from holiday classics like Charles Dickens A Christmas carol, while others simply have elements that make them feel appropriate for the holidays.

“All good things…”

Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 7, episodes 25 and 26

There are different delights Star Trek: The Next Generation feature-length series finale that makes it a great episode to watch over the holidays. The story follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) as he begins to bounce through three different time periods aboard the USS Enterprise-D. Like Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas song (a character Patrick Stewart also portrayed), Picard experiences events from the past, present and future. Jean-Luc then works to solve the mystery of a strange anomaly in all three timelines.

Not only does Picard rely on the help of his crewmates in all time periods, but his old nemesis, Q (John de Lancie), helps out as well. As the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future, Q helps Picard navigate his journey through time while also testing the captain. “All Good Things…” may focus on Picard, but it gives each character a chance to shine and highlights how close the Enterprise crew members became. In the final scene, Picard sits down with his crew for a game of poker, like a family finally getting together for game night during the holidays.

“In the cards”

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, season 5, episode 25

With the Dominion War looming ever closer, Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) is not in a good mood. To cheer him up, Sisko's son Jake (Cirroc Lofton) recruits his best friend Nog (Aron Eisenberg) to help him acquire a 1951 Willie Mays rookie card, which will be for sale at an upcoming auction. When an eccentric scientist named Elias Giger (Brian Markinson) purchases the card, he offers to trade it to Jake for various equipment found throughout the station. Jake and Nog perform various odd jobs for the station's senior staff. to acquire all the things Giger wants.

Although Dominion negotiator Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs) suspects that Jake and Nog are up to something nefarious, the boys end up presenting the baseball card to Captain Sisko. Not only does this brighten Sisko's day, but Jake and Nog's actions also cheer up everyone else on the station. Sisko's final logbook reads like a voiceover at the end of a Christmas movie, as a montage shows the positive effects of Jake and Nog's actions. The holidays aren't always happy for everyone, and Sisko's final line seems particularly apt for those who may be struggling: “Even in the darkest moments, you can always find something that will make you smile.”

“11:59”

Star Trek: Voyager, season 5, episode 23

In “11:59,” Star Trek: Voyager tells the story of an ancestor of Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) named Shannon O'Donnell. Janeway believed that her ancestor had been an important astronaut, but she later discovers that Shannon lived a relatively normal life. Near the end of December 1999, Shannon passed through a town in Indiana where the Millennium Gate was being built. While there, Shannon meets a bookstore owner named Henry Janeway (Kevin Tighe), who refuses to sell his store to make room for the Millennium Gate project.

The company building the Millennium Gate offers Shannon a job if she can convince Henry to sell his bookstore before 11:59 am on New Year's Eve. In the end, Henry agrees to sell his bookstore, the Millennium Gate project moves forward, and Henry and Shannon live happily ever after. Back on the USS Voyager, Neelix (Ethan Phillips) creates a new holiday called Ancestor's Eve, aims to reflect on those who came before, and the entire team gathers for a family photo. With its wintry setting and classic story, plus celebration of family, “11:59” seems perfect for the holidays.

“Subspace Rhapsody”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, season 2, episode 9

Music has always been a big part of Christmas and the holidays, so what better way to celebrate than with Star Trek first musical episode? In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' “Subspace Rhapsody” an improbability field causes everyone aboard the USS Enterprise to burst into song. From singing their status reports to sharing their innermost feelings, most of the core team members get the chance to showcase their singing and dancing talent. “Subspace Rhapsody” is not only an incredibly entertaining episode of television, but it also has great character development and advances several storylines.

With brilliantly written songs and incredible musical talent, everything about “Subspace Rhapsody” works. More, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew truly feel like family, and the closing musical number beautifully brings everyone together to save the day. In just two seasons so far, Strange new worlds has already become one of the Star Trek best modern shows, thanks in large part to its stellar cast. With your always hopeful vision of the future, Star Trek It already seems like a perfect choice for holiday watching, but some episodes feel more festive than others.